Brooklyn Trattoria
Sep 21
This was the first restaurant we did not like. And for a fairly inconsequential reason. On arrival in Bethany, entering a nicer and larger than expected restaurant, we were led through two largely empty rooms, to our table for two facing a large, well-stocked and tended bar. On the table was a small laptop computer and a VR code image. No menu. We were instructed that everything was online.
Since the place promotes itself on "It’s our take on NYC Italian food," I was quite interested to see what was offered. So, two of us, who read at different speeds, and like different things to eat, had to scroll up and down and around the screen to find anything that caught our eye. I asked for a paper menu but was told in no uncertain terms that this was the only way. Why this set the wrong tone for our enjoyment is not really clear, but though the food was good enough, the vibe was off. I think the online menu takes away a sense of human graciousness - aka class - in a place that is trying to have atmosphere.
H had cioppino (no surprise) and I had chicken piccata which was over rich but tasty. No starters, in part because of the way info was organized.
We shared dessert and brought home the leftovers. there was a table of four seniors next to us as we ate. I watched as they fiddled with the online menu as well.
So 6 from both of us
